Distributors come to regional meetings to hear key announcements and receive information not available anywhere else. On Saturday, May 16, 2009, at the Dallas Regional Meeting, that meant an exclusive phone call from Indianapolis 500 racer Tomas Scheckter, an advanced taste of MonaVie Energy, and a motivating speech from Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Barton.

Tomas Scheckter, who finished 12th at this year's Indianapolis 500, called in to Dallas from the speedway in Indianapolis just minutes after qualifying for the race to say how proud he is to be wearing the MonaVie colors, both as a driver and as a distributor.

The photographs of Scheckter and his car, both draped in MonaVie Energy blue, gave distributors a craving for the new product, which will officially launch on June 20, 2009, at the Salt Lake City Super Regional. Fortunately for them, those in attendance in Dallas were treated to their very own can of MonaVie Energy. As distributors came back to the meeting from lunch, they found a can of the new product on each of their seats.

Carrying the momentum of the morning into the afternoon session was Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Barton. A former sprint kayaker, Barton won four Olympic medals over the span of three Olympic Games. He took home two gold medals at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games to go along with the bronze medals he earned in both 1984 and 1992. Barton's speech focused on how doing just a little more can make all the difference.

As a boy growing up in Michigan, Barton first dreamed of winning a medal in kayaking at the age of 10; however, he would have many obstacles to overcome on his journey to the Olympic Games.

Born with club feet, Barton underwent several surgeries as a kid that left him with limited motion in his ankles and his left leg an inch-and-a-half shorter than his right leg. Barton decided after his final surgery at the age of 13 that he would begin running so that he could participate in sports with his peers.

Throughout all his physical trials, Barton never lost sight of his goal to compete as a kayaker, and, in 1977, he qualified for the Junior World Championship in France. He seemed well on his way to becoming champion but was defeated in the semifinals. He had lost by only 8-10 inches.

Determined to not let the loss permanently defeat him, Barton framed the photo finish and displayed it in his bedroom as a reminder that a little bit more makes all the difference.

When he won the bronze medal several years later at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Barton decided that the third-place finish wasn't good enough. He wanted to go for the gold, which meant four more years of training. He immediately asked himself what he needed to do to overcome his personal barriers to winning gold.

As a kayaker, Barton's strength had always been his endurance; but, he recognized that he was lacking in speed. He got right to work on improving his speed by putting in extra training sessions each week.

The extra hours and effort all paid off in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, where Barton became the first American to win a gold medal in kayaking and the first man to win gold in both the 1000 meter singles and the 1000 meter doubles in the same Olympics.

Upon returning from the games, his friends and family congratulated him on his victories. Amidst the praise, one thing stood out to Barton: Everyone kept telling him how lucky he was to win his gold medals.

"Isn't it amazing how lucky you can be when you spend 18 years of your life working for something," Barton facetiously asked MonaVie distributors in Dallas.

He continued, "It's amazing how lucky you can be when you spend three or four hours a day, seven days a week working for something. That's the way it is with anything if you have a plan and are willing to work toward it."

Barton advised distributors all around the world to decide what they need to do to improve, take those steps, and "you can be lucky too."

Congratulations to Herschel and Lynn Gibbs from Phoenix, Arizona, on achieving the rank of Blue Diamond Executive. Here's what they had to say on reaching this impressive milestone...

"Our journey to Blue Diamond speaks volumes about the possibilities of the MonaVie opportunity. We are eternally grateful to the entire corporate team for their ongoing vision, direction, and support. We also know that it is the efforts of our incredible team that make our success achievable.

"We see MonaVie as a viable option for people who may be bound by a shattered economy. It's a platform of financial strength for those looking beyond difficult circumstances.

"MonaVie's compensation plan and support systems provide a perfect opportunity for us to not only obtain personal financial success, but to become empowered to make a difference in the lives of others who dare to dream. We encourage people to redefine their realities, remove all boundaries for success, and be willing to reshape their destinies.

"Our advice to others seeking success in MonaVie is simple:

Realize that all of your previous experiences (good or bad) are blueprints for your future success; use them to empower others.

Understand that your success is a journey, not a destination; therefore, constantly adjust and adapt to situations.

The MonaVie-Cannondale team recently secured four wins in four different states. In addition to Alex Grant's victory at the Intermountain Cup in Logan, Utah, MonaVie-Cannondale riders Jeremiah Bishop, Bryan Alders, and Sue Butler turned in terrific performances. Congratulations, MonaVie-Cannondale!

Dirt, Sweat, and Gears—Fayetteville, Tennessee
The fourth of eight stops on the U.S. Mountain Bike National Calendar, the Dirt, Sweat, and Gears race is a test of "ultra endurance." MonaVie-Cannondale racer Jeremiah Bishop passed that test with flying colors, overcoming more than 110 miles and massive competition in the men's elite field. Fayetteville received seven inches of rain in the week prior to the race, and downpours began at the starting gun. Jeremiah said the course was the worst conditions he's ever raced in.

"No strategy could prepare a man for what we underwent," he said. "It was hard to ride, even downhill. It was a test of survival."

Front Range 50-Miler—Boulder, Colorado
Going into his first 50-mile mountain bike race, Bryan Alders didn't know what to expect. As it turned out, Alders had nothing to fear. He finished the race, which consisted of five laps of 10-mile loop, in three hours and three minutes for a rare mountain bike racing average of 16 mph. Alders competed at the top with two other opponents for much of the race. Halfway through the final lap he made a successful run at first place.

"I decided to give it a little gas and see what the other two riders had left," Bryan said. "I could see them start to struggle, so I kept the gas on, which was all I needed to take the win."

Cascade Chainbreaker—Bend, Oregon
Sue Butler cruised to a victory at the Cascade Chainbreaker, crossing the finish line nearly eight minutes before her closest competitor. After charging out early, Butler steadily built upon her lead over a course that featured short, power climbs, one long ascent, and a traipse along a winding dry creek bed.

"It's just a fun course," Butler said. "It's one of my favorite courses. Chainbreaker was my very first race ever in 2003 as a beginner."

MonaVie Black Diamond Executives and above distributors recently came home from another spectacular Black Diamond Celebration—a weeklong visit to majestic Ireland. The many magnificent stops during the trip included the Gap of Dunloe, the Ring of Kerry, the Muckross House and Gardens, and the Cliffs of Moher.

The week began Saturday, April 25, when distributors arrived at The Europe Hotel & Resort in Killarney to enjoy a welcome dinner with the MonaVie Executive Team. Resting by the shore of the largest of Killarney's Lakes, The Europe Hotel & Resort is a striking five-star hotel with a 50,000-square-feet spa that provided distributors with absolute luxury and relaxation.

Sunday morning, distributors traveled by boat as well as horse and carriage to a narrow pass between the Macgillicuddy's Reeks mountain range known as the Gap of Dunloe. Drifting along the River Loe, distributors passed underneath the Wishing Bridge, an arch bridge that is said to grant all wishes made while standing on it. When they reached their destination, distributors admired the beautiful glacial valley and enjoyed a private picnic.

The next day was spent riding along the Ring of Kerry and exploring the Muckross House and Gardens. The Ring of Kerry, one of the most stunning stretches of road in Europe, gave distributors the opportunity to discover many charming Irish villages.

Overlooking Muckross Lake, the Muckross House and Gardens was built in 1843. Today, the house is decorated with classic 19th century furnishings, giving guests a sense for the grounds' original ambiance. The vibrancy of the surrounding gardens added to the edifice's overall beauty and elegance.

Distributors enjoyed their final hours in Killarney surveying the foliage at Killarney National Park and partaking in the town's nightlife. From the Europe Hotel & Resort, distributors were transported to Dromoland Castle, a grand, five-star castle hotel.

As the buses pulled up to Dromoland Castle, a grandiose steed and dozens of regal bloodhounds trotted along the path's entryway, giving the guests a proper horse and hounds welcome. Dromoland Castle, one of the most famous castles in Ireland, has been standing since the 11th century when it was home to the O'Briens, Barons of Inchiquin. Distributors commemorated their stay with dinner and a show, complete with traditional Irish music and dance.

The final attraction on the agenda was the Cliffs of Moher. Extending for eight kilometers over the Atlantic Ocean, the cliffs are accentuated by O'Brien's Tower, which stands on a headland of the cliffs. Looking out at the vast expanse, distributors marveled out how far their MonaVie journeys have truly taken them.

Congratulations to Shirou Oozono from Saga, Japan, on achieving the rank of Black Diamond Executive. Here's what he had to say on reaching this impressive milestone...

"When I was looking for a company to be a part of, MonaVie offered a number of attractive things: The compensation plan is simple, yet stable. The product offering is accommodating. The company's global expansion plans are extensive. The timing is perfect.

"However, the number one concern for me was who would oversee operations in Japan. When I met Tadamasa Shimizu, I realized that he is a man with passion. I felt strongly that he is fair, honest, and willing to abide by the rules. This assurance was extremely important to me. Shimizu is the type of person that I can work with; therefore, I decided to join MonaVie.

"My group leaders are the reason I've been able to become a Black Diamond. Together, we have all worked toward this goal. I've been truly touched as I've seen how excited my group is for me. The best way I can reciprocate their hard work is to help set up a system that will make it easier for each of them to obtain the rank of Black Diamond.

"I believe my strength is my ability to visualize. I draw a concrete picture in my mind of what I need to do to achieve my goals. If you imagine your goals clearly, you will naturally be drawn to the outcome. Right now, I have a clear vision of where I will be three years from now. I used to be called 'Rain Man' because wherever I went, it always rained. Ever since I started MonaVie, I have become 'Sunshine Man.' Perhaps MonaVie brought good karma into my life. I can't help but be excited for tomorrow and all that the future holds.

"There are success stories from Black Diamonds all over the world. Please learn from them, and do what they are doing. Success in MonaVie is linked with everyone becoming leaders. Hold yourself accountable, and you will find success. The path has been set by our leaders. I am still learning. If we continue to keep our eyes on the leaders, we will catch up to them. We will stand on the same stage as them."

Congratulations to Erik and Michelle Cloud from Boise, Idaho, on achieving the rank of Blue Diamond Executive. Here's what they had to say on reaching this impressive milestone...

"We truly believe God put us in MonaVie. In 2007, we were preparing to move to Boise, Idaho. I was going through a box of old notepads and noticed that I had written the words 'Brig Hart/Attitude' on one page. Several years prior, I had listened to a cassette tape about Brig Hart's direct selling success and wrote down some notes. I didn't think anything more of it.

"A friend called me out of the blue the very next day. The first words out of his mouth were, 'I just met with this guy named Brig Hart. Have you heard of him?' The hair on the back of my neck stood up. Whatever Brig was doing, I was also going to do!

"When we moved to Boise, we only knew five people. I had some experience in direct selling, but I'd never built a business through home meetings. Building a list of local names was a challenge, but we did exactly what Brig told us to do. We started with the five people we knew and eventually got to know more people. One person who is willing to open two or more doors to good people will turn into a leg that's 20 deep. Just help one get one all the way to the bottom of the leg. That's what we did.

"The leadership at MonaVie sets us apart in this industry. We have the right people running the show, both on the corporate level and in the field. The MORE Project also sets us apart—in direct selling and in the business world in general. Michelle has a master's degree in Latin American Economic Studies and has witnessed firsthand the awful conditions in which people in Third World countries live. Michelle needed to fall in love with the MORE Project in order to fall in love with MonaVie.

"There are so many people hurting physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Don't be selfish by playing small and keeping this opportunity to yourself. This opportunity is what I like to call 'guilt-free wealth' because it only comes in direct proportion to the good we do and the people we help along the way. We love our incredible team, and we won't stop until they achieve their goals and dreams."

Congratulations to Darren and Judy Deschamps from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, on achieving the rank of Blue Diamond Executive. Here's what they had to say on reaching this impressive milestone...

"When we first enrolled in MonaVie, we were impressed by what the product did for our health. Having left a previous career feeling completely burned out, I had no idea what this amazing opportunity would do for me and my family. We signed up thinking we had found a great juice; we realized that we had found something to challenge us, stretch us, and help us grow.

"We have learned so much from all the amazing leaders. Ronn and Jan showed us that it could be done; Brig and Lita showed us how it could be done. They helped us feel empowered to share this gift, and that's what has kept us moving forward. We feel like we were set up to win from the beginning.

"We have been blessed with an amazing team that has led us to a whole new way of living. The best part is that we get to share this with others and watch their lives improve. We are so humbled and grateful to have happened upon this amazing life-changing opportunity. Decide that you want it too. Plug in to your active upline's proven system, and then reach out to people. Most importantly, never give up!"

MonaVie is poised to compete for the checkered flag at this year's Indianapolis 500, as Tomas Scheckter is slated to race in the No. 19 MonaVie car. In addition, MonaVie is sponsoring Will Power, who will vie for the victory wearing a MonaVie-branded helmet.

Held annually over the Memorial Day weekend and billed as "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," the Indianapolis 500 is one of the oldest motorsport events and the largest single-day sporting event in the world.

The 2002 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, Tomas Scheckter will begin the race at pole position 26 for Dale Coyne Racing. Among his career highlights, Tomas won the 1999 Formula Opel Euroseries Championship with a record eight victories and eight poles, breaking all the winning records in the process. After stints with Formula Nissan and the Formula 3 Series, Tomas has been competing in the IRL IndyCar Series since 2002.

Will Power, who will race at the number nine pole position, started out in the Formula Ford State Series, earning the Queensland State Championship. He then made the move to the Australian Formula 3 Championship placing second overall, before moving on to the British F3 and World Series by Renault Championships. He made his IndyCar Series debut in 2008.

Watch Scheckter and Power represent MonaVie this Friday, May 22, as they participate in "Carburetion Day," the final day of practice before the race. Scheckter and the MonaVie car (No. 19) can be seen on the track from 11 a.m.–noon (EST) on VERSUS as well as www.indycar.com.

MonaVie's recent partnership with Tomas Scheckter, 2002 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, is garnering attention from media outlets around the world, including Business Wire, Yahoo! Finance, and Morningstar among others.

Get online today to see who's talking about MonaVie at the Indianapolis 500.

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